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Dawson Creek, British Columbia
December 1, 2007
The
Government of Canada is investing $1.5 million to create new
opportunities for B.C. farmers through a biofuel production
study and an assessment to identify the best crop varieties for
unique Peace River region growing conditions. This investment
was announced today by the Honourable Jay Hill, Member of
Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, Secretary of State and
Chief Government Whip, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Ritz,
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the
Canadian Wheat Board.
"Farmers know the importance of innovation and this Government
is making sure they have the best crop varieties and can harness
the potential of biofuel production here in the Peace River
region," said Mr. Hill. "The Peace region is the largest
producer of grains and oilseeds in B.C. and research like this
is going to make sure farmers here continue to succeed and
grow."
The Government of Canada is investing $1.2 million in the B.C.
Peace River Cereal, Flax and Pulse Crop Enhancement project.
This five-year project will use crop trials to determine what
varieties are best suited for the unique growing environment in
the Peace region. Crops to be researched will include ethanol
feedstock (for biofuel production), hard white spring wheat,
shorter season flax, barley, and pea varieties. Funding for this
initiative is provided through Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada’s Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF)
program.
Through the Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative
(BOPI) the B.C. Grain Producers Association has received the
maximum contribution of $300,000 to develop a business plan to
construct a biodiesel production facility. The plan will help
local industry take the next step in creating a sustainable,
environmentally-friendly, agriculture-based energy project in
the Peace region.
"These projects demonstrate how industry and government can work
together to foster growth and innovation in the B.C. agri-food
industry," said Bert Miles, Chair of the Investment Agriculture
Foundation of B.C., which administers both the BOPI and ACAAF
programs in B.C. "Encouraging innovation at the local level is
essential to ensuring long-term viability of our industry."
For more information on ACAAF and BOPI, please visit
www.agr.gc.ca/acaaf and
www.agr.gc.ca/bopi.
To learn more about the Investment Agriculture Foundation and
the funding programs it administers, please visit
www.iafbc.com.
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